Team 2 followed Kinoshita through the winding streets of the village, the steam from the hot springs rising around them like a gentle mist. The villagers, with their friendly smiles and warm greetings, made them feel surprisingly welcome.
'They don't get too many shinobi here,' Arashi thought as he returned a wave to a shopkeeper arranging baskets of fragrant herbs.
Kinoshita's house stood out amongst the other dwellings. It was an elegant structure, constructed from dark, polished wood, featuring a sloping roof and a wide porch adorned with hanging lanterns. The warm glow of the lanterns illuminated the meticulously tended garden, where a small pond shimmered under the moonlight.
'I have to give it to him,' Arashi mused, 'Mr. Kinoshita has a beautiful home.'
"I'm home!" Kinoshita announced, slipping off his sandals at the entrance. The team followed suit, stepping into a spacious living room filled with the calming scent of incense. Intricate tapestries adorned the walls, and plush cushions were scattered across the floor, inviting relaxation and comfort. A large fireplace crackled merrily, casting a warm glow over the room.
A sliding door led to the garden, where a small wooden bridge arched over the pond. The moonlight reflected off the water, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
Suddenly, a young boy with bright eyes and a mischievous grin came barreling into the room. "Heey! You're back!" he exclaimed, launching himself at Kinoshita.
"Uncle!" the boy cried, clinging to Kinoshita's back.
'His nephew?' Arashi wondered, observing the heartwarming reunion.
"What, you didn't expect me to make it back, Tatsuo?" Kinoshita chuckled, scooping the boy into a warm embrace.
Tatsuo, with his spiky brown hair and bright eyes, beamed up at his uncle. He wore a simple white vest and black shorts, his youthful energy radiating through the room.
As he hugged Kinoshita, his gaze fell upon the unfamiliar faces standing behind him. "Huh? Who are these people?" he asked, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.
Arashi met his gaze with a calm smile, adjusting the strap of his bag. Tatsuo's eyes widened as they trailed towards the gleaming silver forehead protector adorning Arashi's head.
"No way..." he gasped, his cheeks flushing with excitement. "These are real-life shinobi!"
"Heh, that's right," Kinoshita said, setting Tatsuo down. He seemed strangely embarrassed by his nephew's enthusiastic reaction.
Tatsuo, undeterred, extended his hand towards Arashi, a cheerful grin spreading across his face. "I look forward to working with you!" he declared.
'Working... with me...?' Arashi blinked, taken aback by Tatsuo's bold claim.
"I'm going to be a shinobi, you know!" Tatsuo added, his voice filled with determination.
"You... know?" Arashi echoed, a wave of nostalgia washing over him. 'This kid...' He couldn't help but think of Naruto, with his boundless energy and unwavering dream of becoming Hokage.
Suddenly, a woman's voice, filled with both joy and relief, echoed through the house. "Kinoshita-kun!"
They all turned to see a beautiful woman with long, dark hair and a gentle smile rushing towards them. She wore a pink shirt and a black skirt, her movements graceful despite her haste.
"You're alive!" she cried, throwing her arms around Kinoshita. "I thought... I thought you wouldn't make it!"
Kinoshita closed his eyes, holding her close. "I know, I know," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "But I'm here, aren't I?"
He held his wife tightly, a wave of emotion washing over him as he witnessed her tears of joy. The warmth of her embrace filled him with a sense of peace and gratitude, a stark contrast to the dangers he had faced just moments before.
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As Kinoshita and his family reunited, a lone figure observed the village from the summit of a towering hill. A young shinobi with a calculating gaze, he wore a white zip-up jacket and dark glasses that resembled goggles, his expression hidden behind their reflective surface. His eyes, however, were fixated on Kinoshita's home, a flicker of malice dancing within them.
"Mhm, you failed, Akane," he taunted, his voice a low, mocking drawl. "I mean, what can I expect? You're still too pathetic. Now our enemies know we're coming."
He glanced to his side, where Akane stood, her fists clenched, her fiery red hair seeming to bristle with anger. "Not now, Kaito," she growled, her voice laced with warning.
Kaito smirked, enjoying her frustration. "Oh, don't worry," he continued, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "This isn't a surprise. You've always been all brawn and no brain." He shrugged nonchalantly, adding fuel to the fire.
"Careful with that mouth of yours, Kaito." The boy's attention shifted to his other side, where Tsubasa stood, one foot resting on a flat boulder. He was meticulously sharpening his kunai, his movements precise and deliberate.
"Hm hm... I'm only teasing her," Kaito replied, lifting his glasses with a sly grin. "We both know I'm no match for my foolish sister's brute strength. Be that as it may, I'm wondering why and how you both failed."
Tsubasa's gaze flickered towards Kaito, a hint of disapproval in his eyes. "The nerve..." he muttered. "Well, it appears our mission just got a lot tougher. That man leading them is Itachi of the Sharingan. Konohagakure's most prized Uchiha."
"And that boy..." Akane interjected, her voice tight with frustration. "He possesses a rare Dojutsu. The Rinnegan."
Kaito scoffed, his eyebrows raising in surprise. "Is that so?" he sneered. "Well then... how fun!"
Tsubasa turned to leave. "We'll regroup later," he said, before vanishing in a blur of motion.
Kaito was about to follow when he felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder. "Hm? You have something to say?" he asked, glancing back at Akane.
"Yeah..." she growled, her eyes blazing with fury. "We are not siblings. Don't ever mistake it."
"Hm hm." Kaito forced a smile, his facade unwavering despite the tightening grip on his shoulder. Akane released him with a shove, then turned and disappeared into the shadows.
"Hm hm... how anticlimactic..." Kaito muttered, rubbing his shoulder. With a final smirk, he too vanished from the hilltop, leaving the village bathed in the peaceful silence of twilight.
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Later that night, with the village enveloped in peaceful silence, Arashi relaxed on his futon, engrossed in a scroll filled with intricate diagrams. Moonlight streamed through the paper windows, casting soft shadows across the room.
'Mr. Kinoshita had sorted us into our rooms,' he thought, tracing the diagrams with his finger. 'He has a lot of spare rooms in his house. I guess it pays off being a successful hot springs owner in this village.' He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. 'I figured I'd take my mind off things before training again. It's never too late to train.'
A sharp knock echoed through the quiet house.
Arashi set the scroll aside and rose from his futon, crossing the tatami floor to open the door. He was surprised to find Kazuya standing there, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable in the dim light.
"Let's go outside," Kazuya said, his voice low and urgent.
'Outside?' Arashi frowned. "What's this about?"
Kazuya turned and walked away without a word, his silhouette disappearing down the moonlit hallway.
'What the hell is his problem?' Arashi wondered, shaking his head. 'What's this about?' He closed the door behind him and followed Kazuya out of the house, curiosity piqued.
The walk was silent, Kazuya's continued refusal to elaborate only deepening the mystery. As they emerged from the house, a figure dropped down from the roof, landing silently in front of them.
"Heading out so late?" Itachi asked, his dark eyes fixed on them.
"Itachi-sensei," Kazuya acknowledged, his tone respectful.
"Be careful," Itachi warned, his voice laced with concern. "We still don't know where our enemies are."
Arashi nodded. "I'm heading out to train," he said, his gaze hardening with determination. "I won't let her get out of my sight next time, I promise."
He looked at Kazuya, who simply nodded in response.
With those few words exchanged, Kazuya continued walking, Arashi following close behind. They ascended the hill overlooking the village, the moon casting long shadows as they walked in silence.
"Alright, this is far enough," Kazuya announced, turning to face Arashi. The moon cast his features in a sharp relief, highlighting the determined set of his jaw.
"Far enough for what?" Arashi countered, his brow furrowed. "I'm hoping this isn't a waste of time, is it?" He shifted his weight, the dry leaves crunching beneath his feet.
Kazuya folded his arms, his expression serious. "I'll be straightforward with this," he stated, meeting Arashi's gaze. "I want you to teach me a jutsu."
Arashi tilted his head, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. "Me? Teach you?" He paused, a hint of amusement in his voice. "...and you're okay with that?"
A vein throbbed in Kazuya's temple. "Yeah, that's right!" he retorted, his voice rising in indignation. "Just how arrogant do you think I am?"
Arashi placed a finger on his chin, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Do you want an honest answer?" he asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
Kazuya gritted his teeth, a low growl escaping his lips. "This is a bad idea," he muttered, turning and stomping past Arashi.
"Just hold on a little," Arashi called after him. "What jutsu do you want to know?"
Kazuya hesitated, his footsteps slowing. "I mean, you've already brought me all the way out here, so..." He turned back, his frown softening slightly.
"I want to learn the Lightning Blade," he declared, his voice firm.
Arashi's eyes widened in surprise.